Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 35

Paul sees Himself in the Light of Christ Jesus our Lord

Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. KJV

When Paul wrote this letter to the believers in Philippi and as a permanent part of the Holy Scripture for we believers today and of every generation, he was not a new convert to Christ, but he was instead a seasoned mature follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, yet we found him in the previous verses almost begging to become more knowledgeable of Christ as you would think a babe in Christ would write. However, Paul found out as every sincere believer in Christ discovers that the more you come to know of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, the less you seem to know, for the knowledge of Him and His ways are like swimming in an ocean that has no bottom at all. Therefore, we find Paul now continuing this theme of his pursuit of closeness to Christ by saying, “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12) (KJV). Paul has discovered in his now long walk with Christ that he is so limited in what has been divulged to him.

He begins immediately after declaring to these Philippian believers and we believers today how he has not attained and this English word “attained” is translated by the Greek word lambano which is a prolonged form of a primary verb, which is used only as an alternate in certain tenses; to take (in very many applications, literally and figuratively, probably objective or active, to get hold of. In other words, Paul had come to realize that he had not (in this life) come to appreciate all that he and other believers have available to us in our relationship to Christ Jesus our Lord probably he has in his mind what God the Father said in the Old Testament speaking of Himself through the Prophet Isaiah, “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:8-9) (NKJV). Paul uses the Greek verb lambano (the aorist tense) here signifying that he is referring back to his conversion to Christ.

Note: “The word “aorist” is a verb tense in some languages (classical Greek and Sanskrit) expressing action (especially past action) without indicating its completion or continuation tense. This is exactly the message the Apostle Paul is conveying here to these Philippian believers that although he is sure of his conversion “to Christ” he has come to understand (even though he has been now walking with Christ over 30 years) that he sees himself still learning about our Lord Jesus Christ without the benefit of full and complete knowledge of Him.” Paul follows up with the simultaneous revelation that he is not “already perfect” and this English phrase is translated by one Greek word teleioo from the Greek word teleios meaning complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); to complete, that is, (literally) accomplish, or (figuratively) consummate (in character). In other words, Paul (referring to his present state) has found through this long faith walk that Christ and he are still light years apart in character, for he sees himself in a state of imperfection and trial or testing as he continues his sojourn and pilgrimage on the earth.

However, he instantly reveals his determined desire to these believers in Philippi by saying, “I follow after”, this English phrase is translated by one Greek word dioko which is a prolonged (and causative) form of a primary verb dio meaning to pursue (literally or figuratively); to run after as one does when running errands. In other words, Paul even though he clearly sees much of his imperfections, yet he is running spiritually after Christ seeking only to be affirmed by Him, that is, declared solemnly and formally as true. This continuous pursuit of Paul’s is if so “I may apprehend” and this English phrase is translated by the one Greek word katalambano meaning to take eagerly, that is, seize, possess, etc. (literally or figuratively): - apprehend, attain, come upon, comprehend, find, obtain, or perceive. In other words, the Apostle Paul is not discouraged by the discovery of all his imperfections, but he is encouraged and eagerly pursuing after the One who is Perfect in love, compassion, righteousness, mercy, holiness, kindness, joy, peace, faithfulness, etc.

“Salvation is just the beginning, then our life here on the earth is the middle, and finally when we see our Lord Jesus Christ face to face, then we will know Him more, but it is my opinion that we will spend all of eternity in Heaven with Christ constantly and continually learning more and more about all that He is, for there is no end to the Eternal God who had no beginning and has no end.” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

“‘I was laid hold of by Jesus Christ.’ That is how Paul thinks of what we call his conversion. He would never have ‘turned’ unless a hand had been laid upon him. A strong loving grasp had gripped him in the midst of his career of persecution, and all that he had done was to yield to the grip, and not to wriggle out of it. The strong expression suggests, as it seems to me, the suddenness of the incident. There is suggested in the word, too, distinctly, our Lord’s personal action in the matter. No doubt, the fact of His supernatural appearance gives emphasis to the phrase here. But every Christian man and woman has been, as truly as ever Paul was, laid hold of by the personal action of Jesus Christ.” Alexander MacLaren

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 34

Paul wanted to Know the Power of Christ Resurrection to him

Philippians 3:10-11 That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. KJV

Here in this part of the United States where I live (Northern Louisiana) the energy company that supplies the power to the residential communities, recreational places, and businesses throughout this part of my State is Entergy. The power coming from their main power plants is always active, but it only flows to the above locations for those who appropriate their use of the power for them by continually paying a fee for the use of the power, otherwise the power is cut off. Here we find the Apostle Paul writing to these Philippian believers as well as we believers today about his primary desire while he was sojourning here on the earth. Like the constant power that flows from the Power Company Entergy, the Apostle Paul wanted to know (experimentally) the Power of God flowing from our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ that was responsible for His very bodily Resurrection from the dead as he says with these words, “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” (Philippians 3:10) (KJV). To begin with, let us dig into the English phrase “that I may know” Paul uses here at the very beginning of this sentence: it is translated by one Greek word ginosko which is a prolonged form of a primary verb meaning to know absolutely or to perceive or to be sure of something or to understand or to feel something. The English word “power” used in this first sentence is translated by the Greek word dunamis (by the way it is where we derive our English word dynamite) which means force literal or figurative; specifically, miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself). The English word “resurrection” is translated by the Greek word anastasis which means a standing up again, that is, (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, general or by implication (its author)), or (figuratively) a (moral) recovery (of spiritual truth): - raised to life again, resurrection, rise from the dead.

In other words, when we put the proper meaning of these three (3) Greek words together, we find that the Apostle Paul wanted to literally feel the miraculous power of God or the Grace of God that literally raised up the lifeless Body of our Lord Jesus Christ and made it into a supernaturally eternal glorified body. Paul wanted to know this resurrection power in his everyday pilgrimage here on earth to combat the devil and his invisible devils and his two legged devils while at the same time feeling this power within his inner man to overcome the sinful corrupt nature he (and all of us) was born with that still lived inside him this is why he prayed for the Ephesian believers in this manner using these words, “And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable {and} unlimited {and} surpassing greatness of His power in {and} for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age {and} in this world, but also in the age {and} the world which are to come.” (Ephesians 1:19-21) (Amplified Bible) and when he prayed these words to these same Ephesian believers, “May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened {and} reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love {and} founded securely on love, That you may have the power {and} be strong to apprehend {and} grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!” (Ephesians 3:16-19) (Amplified Bible).

It is supreme faith in and confidence in the fact and reality that our Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and now sits at the Right Hand of God the Father interceding or praying for us always (Hebrews 7:25) and also serving as mediator for us as we are constantly and continually accused of sin (by the devil) before the Throne of God the Father (1 Timothy 2:5) that Paul declares here to these Philippian believers as well as we believers today that he was desirous to partner with our Lord Jesus Christ in sufferings while he pilgrim here on the earth, even as our Lord Jesus Himself told us we would with these words recorded by the Apostle John, “If the world hates you, know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection {and} would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world [no longer one with it], but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you. Remember that I told you, A servant is not greater than his master [is not superior to him]. If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word {and} obeyed My teachings, they will also keep {and} obey yours. But they will do all this to you [inflict all this suffering on you] because of [your bearing] My name {and} on My account, for they do not know {or} understand the One Who sent Me.” (John 15:18-21) (Amplified Bible). Paul knew that as long as he declared the truth of the Gospel of Christ (as being raised from the dead and the only way to God the Father) that he would be ridiculed, scorned, laughed at, and physically persecuted for Christ sake, but this did not move him away from desiring to suffer for Him as he said in this manner to the Colossian believers, “[Even] now I rejoice in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking {and} remains to be completed [on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the Church.” (Colossians 1:24) (Amplified Bible). Paul knows that he cannot participate in the likeness of Christ death or to be conformed to it as our Lord Jesus was, but what he has said previously about partnering in His sufferings will allow him and any faithful believer to figuratively take in or take up in similarity Christ death by obediently holding fast to the truth of the Gospel no matter the physical, mental, or spiritual pain and suffering it renders down here as he took up his own cross symbolically for Christ Gospel among the Jews and Gentiles during his time (Matthew 16:24).

Paul always had in view the end of all things as we know them and he kept that great day in view as he lived his life for Jesus Christ, for this is why he could write to the Romans these words, “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave the way open for [God’s] wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay (requite), says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head. Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.” (Romans 12:18-21) (Amplified Bible). Paul was not unsure or uncertain of his place with God the Father when he writes these words, “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” (Philippians 3:11) (KJV), but instead he wanted his relationship with Christ to be real in his inner man continually and constantly confessing his sin to the Father through Christ and being always strengthened by the Holy Spirit in his inner man, so that he could fight earnestly the good fight of faith at the same time understanding the struggle of the walk of faith and the always urgent need of watchfulness that he would stay in line with the truth as he wrote using these words of his faith fight to the Corinthian believers, “Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air {and} striking without an adversary. But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel {and} things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].” (1 Corinthians 9:26-27) (Amplified Bible). Paul looked forward to the end when his soul and body would be reunited after death and raised together joined to each other eternally glorified in the likeness of Christ Glorified Body.

“The fact that Christ has risen from the dead, when fully believed, will produce a sure hope that we also shall be raised, and will animate us to bear trials for His sake, with the assurance that we shall be raised up as He was. One of the things which a Christian ought most earnestly to desire is, to feel the power of this truth on his soul - that his great Redeemer has burst the bands of death; has brought life and immortality to light, and has given us the pledge that our bodies shall rise. What trials may we not bear with this assurance? What is to be dreaded in death, if this is so? What glories rise to the view when we think of the resurrection! And what trifles are all the things which people seek here, when compared with the glory that shall be ours when we shall be raised from the dead!” Albert Barnes

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 33

Paul let go of all his Jewish Heritage to be Clothed in Christ Righteousness

Philippians 3:8-9 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: KJV

Paul has declared to these Philippian believers and we believers today that all of his privileges as a tribe of Benjamin Jew he has renounced, laid aside, or given up trusting in them to be right with Almighty God and if there were any doubts about his sincerity, he repeats his conviction with an even more serious, solid, and sure tone of speech as he says, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:8) (KJV). Paul begins this serious tone by the use of the English word “doubtless” which is translated by the Greek word menounge which is a primary particle of emphasis or qualification; properly indicative of affirmation often compounded with other particles in an intensive sense, such as, certainly or truly or in this case yea meaning indeed. Paul wants it to be understood without being wrongly interpreted that he has completely laid aside all of his Jewish heritage for Christ sake. It is the superior, supreme, and solid knowing or continually getting to know Christ Jesus our Lord that is far higher a pursuit than following after Jewish rites, rules, or rituals that has captured Paul’s soul, his mind emotions, and will. Because of this pursuit to know Christ, Paul declares that he has already suffered the loss of all things and we can recall by the words documented for us by Dr. Luke of Paul’s confrontation with many of the Jews who once loved and respected him, but now hate and despise him because he is now a Christian.

The first such hate displayed itself early on after Paul’s conversion, “Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.” (Acts 9:23-25) (NKJV) and this encounter with the Jews in Antioch, “Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.” (Acts 14:19-20) (NKJV). These are just two of the near death experiences that befell the Apostle Paul during his pilgrimage and sojourn on the earth after he was a Christian, there were many more, but as we see in these two encounters, Christ Jesus our Lord rescued him from them all until his mission for Christ was complete. Note: “Paul became a most wanted man by many Jews after he became Christ bond-servant and Paul being a voting member of the Sanhedrin (prior to his conversion to Christianity) had to be married and he may have even had children, brothers, sisters, parents, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, etc. and he lost that close an intimate relationship with them after he was converted, because they most likely continued in the Jewish religion practicing the law of Moses and this brought about separation from Paul.”

Paul considered all of his Jewish achievements, accomplishments, and accolades as “dung” and this English word is translated by the Greek word skubalon which means that which is thrown to the dogs, that is, refuse or rotten food discarded from one’s kitchen no longer fit for human consumption such as happened to the body of Jezebel as it is written, “Then he said, ‘Throw her down.’ So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot. And when he had gone in, he ate and drank. Then he said, ‘Go now, see to this accursed woman, and bury her, for she was a king’s daughter.’ So they went to bury her, but they found no more of her than the skull and the feet and the palms of her hands. Therefore, they came back and told him. And he said, ‘This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke by His servant Elijah the Tishbite, saying, ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel dogs shall eat the flesh of Jezebel; and the corpse of Jezebel shall be as refuse on the surface of the field, in the plot at Jezreel, so that they shall not say, ‘Here lies Jezebel.’’”” (2 Kings 9:33-37) (NKJV). These things as being a Jewish Pharisee climbing the ladder to higher and higher rungs were now dung, waste, refuse to Paul because it was not a stretch to see Paul (had he continued in Judaism without Christ) become the Jewish High Priest someday, but now his only aim is to win Christ or gain Christ, not that he does not already have Christ since the Damascus Road encounter, but now he means to go deeper and deeper into relationship, fellowship, or closeness with Christ Jesus our Lord as King David spoke of the LORD in this Psalm written by him, “O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, Therefore, in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. But those who seek my life, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword; They shall be a portion for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; Everyone who swears by Him shall glory; But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.” (Psalms 63:1-11) (NKJV).

Although Paul knows that he belongs to Christ, he now states to these Philippian believers and we believers today that his primary goal in life was that he “be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:9) (KJV). Paul always wanted more and more revelation of Christ as Lord and Savior and now that his spiritual eyes have been open to the only way of access to God, Paul wants to go deeper with our Lord (Isaiah 53:11). Paul perhaps in penning this verse (being a student of the Old Testament) now understands clearly what Christ Jesus our Lord was speaking through the Prophet Isaiah many years ago when he said, “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’s are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” (Isaiah 64:6) (NKJV). This is why Paul has counted everything he learned and everything he was as a Jewish Pharisee as nothing, so that he might be clothed in the only righteousness that counts or matters to God the Father as he wrote with these words to the Galatian believers in these two verses, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” (Galatians 2:16) (NKJV) and “I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” (Galatians 2:21) (NKJV).

It is that supernatural spiritual union of the sinful soul of man with the sinless perfect soul of Christ that gives the sinner perfect righteousness and standing before God the Father that has found Paul and he wants this to be fully understood by all of the Philippian Church. Like in the days of old for the people of Israel there were established what were called “cities of refuge” when someone would kill another until it could be determined the cause before they were found guilty and stoned to death as it is written by Moses in Numbers here, “So the congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall return him to the city of refuge where he had fled, and he shall remain there until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. But if the manslayer at any time goes outside the limits of the city of refuge where he fled, and the avenger of blood finds him outside the limits of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood, because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possession. And these things shall be a statute of judgment to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.” (Numbers 35:25-29) (NKJV). Christ is our “city of refuge”. Listen to what Adam Clarke says regarding righteousness before God, “Be found a believer in Christ, not having mine own righteousness - not trusting in anything I have done or could do, in order to my salvation; relying on no scheme of justification, set up either formerly by myself or by others.”

“We are undone without a righteousness wherein to appear before God, for we are guilty. There is a righteousness provided for us in Jesus Christ, and it is a complete and perfect righteousness. None can have interest or benefit by it but those who come off from confidence in themselves, and are brought heartily to believe in him. ‘Not having my own righteousness, which is of the law;’ not thinking that my outward observances and good deeds are able to atone for my bad ones, or that by setting the one over against the other I can come to balance accounts with God. No, the righteousness which I depend upon is that which is through the faith of Christ, not a legal, but evangelical righteousness: The righteousness which is of God by faith, ordained and appointed of God.” Matthew Henry

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 32

Paul tells the Philippian Church how he Rejected his Jewish Blood Line for the Blood of Jesus Christ

Philippians 3:4-7 Though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. KJV

In many cultures all over the world from century to century, the family blood line is a sacred and very respected honor when one is born in such a family blood line. Here we find the battered, beaten, and bruised Apostle Paul detailing to these Philippian believers and we believers today that he was such a man among the Jewish people. Paul informed them how he would have much opportunity to boast or show off or display and project himself in such a proud manner because of his family heritage or his family blood line this is why he begins this part of his discourse as he begins to detail for the Philippians what manner of Jewish stock he was bred from with these words saying first, “Though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:” (Philippians 3:4) (KJV). Paul was saying here if anyone could put their trust in their Jewish blood line for salvation by God it would be him. By flesh here Paul does not mean his human nature corrupted by virtue of mere birth (the one received from Adam), but here Paul is speaking of that Jewish blood line in which he was privileged to be born into. We learned in the last study/commentary that the Jews referred to all people outside of their race, that is, Gentiles as dogs, but also we must understand that even within the Jewish race there were a hierarchy of pure Jews verses those Jews who could not trace their blood line all the way back to the Patriarch Abram later God changed his name to Abraham.

However, Paul was born a pure Jew all the way back in his blood line (on both sides) were decedents leading directly back to Abraham, the one original Hebrew (Genesis 12:1-9) and he begins to lay out that fleshly heritage by saying, “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee;” (Philippians 3:5) (KJV). Paul was born into a pure Jewish blood line and his family observed all the Jewish rites, rituals, and rules handed down to Abraham from God as it is written here of circumcision, “And God said to Abraham: ‘As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: Every male child among you shall be circumcised; and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you. He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised, every male child in your generations, he who is born in your house or bought with money from any foreigner who is not your descendant. He who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money must be circumcised, and My covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.” (Genesis 17:9-13) (NKJV). We find that our Lord Jesus Christ was also taken through this very same Jewish holy rite as documented for us by Dr. Luke with these words, “And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, ‘Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD’), and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, ‘A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’ (Luke 2:21-24) (NKJV).

The tribe of Benjamin was one of the highest esteemed among the Jews because of the great and love Jacob (later his named changed to Israel by God) had for his youngest son born to the love of Jacob’s life Rachel. When Paul says that he was a Hebrew of the Hebrews he simply means that both his parents were likewise born Hebrews. The Pharisees were considered the strictest of all the Jewish sects (Acts 26:5) and Paul was one of their highest ranking members as Paul spoke so of himself with these words when he was arrested in the Jewish Temple but allowed to speak, “‘Brethren and fathers, hear my defense before you now.’ And when they heard that he spoke to them in the Hebrew language, they kept all the more silent. Then he said: ‘I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.’” (Acts 22:1-3) (NKJV) and later on in his defense he also said these words, “But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, ‘Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!’” (Acts 23:6) (NKJV). Note: Here is what Adam Clarke said of the Jewish sect the Pharisees, “One that not only received the law and the prophets as coming from God; but belonged to that sect which, of all others, was most scrupulously attached to it.” Paul declares that as a Pharisee he was on fire for the Jewish faith as he declares it this way, “Concerning zeal, persecuting the Church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” (Philippians 3:6) (KJV). The English word zeal is translated by the Greek word zelos which is derived from the primary verb zeo which means to be hot or to be fervent.

In other words, Paul was a militant zealot as a Pharisee persecuting the early Christians by putting them in jail and even killing many for what he thought at that time (in his ignorance) to be an insult to Judaism as he declared with these words again after he was arrested in the Jewish Temple, “I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.” (Acts 22:4-5) (NKJV) and also as he said of himself concerning the persecution of Christians with these words, “‘Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.’” (Acts 26:9-11) (NKJV). Paul observed (in his ignorance) all of the Jewish external rites, rituals, and rules and could be considered blameless or faultless or without reproach among the Jews just as it was spoken of Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth who would miraculously become the parents of a son (John the Baptist), “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Luke 1:5-6) (NKJV).

Paul was doing everything the Jewish laws required of him and of every good Jew in order to be justified before God, but yet he still realized deep within that he did not have that inner assurance of being right before God and right with God, this is why he now says, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” (Philippians 3:7) (KJV). Until Paul’s encounter with our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road he could never say with conviction, confidence, and certainty that all was well with his soul and God, but now he is willing to give up all of his Jewish pedigree for the certainty he has found in our Lord Jesus Christ as he recounts his conversion to king Agrippa with these words documented by Dr. Luke, “‘While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’” (Acts 26:12-18) (NKJV).

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 31

Paul Reminds the Philippian Church to trust in Christ; not the Flesh

Philippians 3:1-3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. KJV

Paul was always one to preach and teach the things that God the Holy Spirit gave to him that would ground the saints in faith and most importantly in Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul begins to wrap up his letter, but wants to make sure or remind the saints in Philippi to fully be established in Christ and no one or nothing else by saying, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.” (Philippians 3:1) (KJV). Paul knows that it is only “in Christ” (as we sojourn on this earth) that we can truly have constant, continuous, and certain joy, despite all of the negative outward conditions. The English word rejoice he uses here is translated by the Greek word chairo which is a primary verb meaning to be full of cheer, that is, calmly happy or well off. It was Paul’s desire to see all of Christ followers always rejoicing in Him as he will repeat again to them in Chapter 4 because of these words written by the Prophet Nehemiah when he said to the children of Israel, “Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.’” (Nehemiah 8:10) (NKJV).

Paul felt no form of inadequacy in teaching them the same things over and over, but instead he found it to be needful for them to always be reminded of the truth of the Gospel and the truth of Christ Jesus our Lord and the manner of walk they/we should adhere while still in these tents, just as the Apostle Peter wrote to the ‘pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ’ (1 Peter 1:1-2) (NKJV) when he did not apologize for reminding them of the truth ‘in Christ’ and how they were to grow fruitfully in the faith saying, “For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. Moreover, I will be careful to ensure that you always have a reminder of these things after my death.” (2 Peter 1:12-15) (NKJV).

The English word grievous Paul uses in this first verse is not perhaps the best choice of word translation because the Greek word is okneros which means to be slow or to hesitate or to delay; to be tardy or slothful. In other words, Paul is declaring to these Philippian believers and to we believers today that it was his desire to speedily, quickly, and immediately remind them always of the truth of what it meant to be a Christian or a follower of Jesus Christ in order to keep them grounded in the truth and keep them safe and secure from the false teachers that so stubbornly persisted to cause trouble for the true followers of Christ by their teaching the Jewish Law of Moses along with the outward act of circumcision as still being necessary for salvation as he rebuked fiercely the Galatian believers with these words, “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is. And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!” (Galatians 5:7-12) (NKJV).

Paul now calls out those usurpers without the authority from Christ Jesus who try to hold the saint’s hostage in their false teaching of circumcision and the Law of Moses as still being necessary for salvation with some very strong and harsh language to describe them to these Philippian believers and to we believers today writing, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.” (Philippians 3:2) (NKJV). The Jews for centuries referred to all Gentiles as dogs because they were not the Covenant people of Jehovah. Now the Apostle Paul turns this old Jewish saying against these Jews who continue to be blinded of the truth of the Gospel of Christ as fulfilling all the old Jewish Ceremonial Laws and ushering in the rule of grace over the rule of ritual rites and laws as Paul teaches so adequately in Galatians Chapter 3. Paul calls them evil workers for they are doing the work of Satan when they teach that salvation is by Christ plus anything else. Salvation is in Christ alone, through Christ alone, and by Christ alone, nothing added to Christ death, burial, and resurrection from the dead satisfies the Justice of God the Father; not water baptism, nor Church membership, nor taking communion, nor confession to a Priest, nor any good works such as feeding the poor or living by the golden rule, nor any human action done will save a sinful soul, but only the Blood of Jesus Christ just as Paul detailed to those in Antioch with these words recorded for us by Dr. Luke, “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man (Jesus Christ) is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, though one were to declare it to you.’” (Acts 13:38-41) (NKJV).

Paul calls them the concision, meaning the mutilators not only of the outward flesh, but more importantly mutilators of the Gospel of Grace and of the Word of God (Acts 15:1) by their teaching the above false requirements for salvation as Isaiah spoke of the unreliable leaders or shepherds of the children of Israel in his day when he wrote this, “His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant; They are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, they are greedy dogs Which never have enough. And they are shepherds Who cannot understand; They all look to their own way, Every one for his own gain, From his own territory.” (Isaiah 56:10-11) (NKJV) and even our Lord Jesus Himself warned the first disciples to be weary of false teaching when He said this, “Then He charged them, saying, ‘Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.’ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘It is because we have no bread.’ But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, ‘Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?’ They said to Him, ‘Twelve.’ ‘Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?’ And they said, ‘Seven.’ So He said to them, ‘How is it you do not understand?’ (Mark 8:15-21) (NKJV).

The English word beware Paul uses before each one of these three descriptions of the Judaizing teachers is translated by the Greek word blepo a primary verb meaning to look at (literally or figuratively): - behold, perceive, or to take heed. Paul declares that now God’s Covenant people need no outward mark in the flesh, but have been marked internally/spiritually by the Holy Spirit and he writes, “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.” (Philippians 3:3) (NKJV). Those of us who have embraced the truth of the Gospel of Christ have now been circumcised in heart by the Holy Spirit of God and worship God by His Spirit being empowered to give the One True God praise and honor knowing that there is nothing good, noble, or worthy in ourselves as the Prophet Jeremiah declared when he said this, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the LORD.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24) (NKJV). The true circumcision are they who are real with God the Father worshipping Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24) revealing everything about ourselves the good, bad, and ugly as the Father already knows it all anyway, but He is jealous for realness, intimacy, and candor, that is, the quality of being honest and straightforward in our attitude and in our speech with Him through prayer Amen!

“Dogs, for their malice against the faithful professors of the Gospel of Christ, barking at them and biting them. They cried up good works in opposition to the faith of Christ; but Paul calls them evil workers: they boasted themselves to be of the circumcision; but he calls them the concision: they rent and tore the Church of Christ, and cut it to pieces; or contended for an abolished rite, a mere insignificant cutting of the flesh.” Matthew Henry

“The Christian faith does not distinguish itself from man-made religions or other practices of spirituality by outward markings in our flesh or even the wearing of jewelry on our person, but it is the redeemed, renewed, and regenerated heart or inner man/ inner woman by God the Holy Spirit that makes a sinner into a saint and it has absolutely nothing to do with what the person does, wears, or says that makes them acceptable to God as Paul wrote speaking of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Colossian believers with these words, ‘In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.’ (Colossians 2:11-14) (NKJV).” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 30

Paul Sends Brother Epaphroditus Back to the Philippian Church Part 2

Philippians 2:28-30 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. KJV

Paul concludes his declaration to these Philippian believers in his one and only documented letter we have of him writing to them while in prison with why he sent Epaphroditus back to them when he did. First, we can perhaps say that Paul had not meant for this beloved Brother to return back to the Church at Philippi before he saw how it was going to go with him at Rome, but only Timothy, however, Epaphroditus’ illness and the word of it getting back to the Church at Philippi changed those plans, therefore, he now writes, “I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.” (Philippians 2:28) (KJV). The English phrase “more carefully” is perhaps not the best translation for the Greek word used here spoudaioteros (by the way it is the only time this word is used in the New Testament) which truly means more speedily, that is, sooner than otherwise: more prompt, more earnestly, or more diligently. We see by this word that it probably was not Paul’s intention that Epaphroditus leave him, but for his sickness and the severity of it. Paul knew that after the word had gotten back to the Church in Philippi that they would be sorely distressed, disheveled, and disarrayed not knowing if he had recovered or if he would be permanently damaged by his illness.

Therefore, Paul understanding this decided that he was to return to Philippi and not be there with Paul preaching the Gospel until the conclusion of Paul’s case at Rome. Paul wanted the Brothers and Sisters in the Church at Philippi to be gladdened when they could physically see Epaphroditus’ full and complete recovery and also that he would not be grieved over feeling responsible for him even getting so ill in the first place because of his service to Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome, somewhat as he wrote to the Corinthian Church after causing them sorrow by commanding them to remove a non-repentant Brother from the Church when he wrote these words, “But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?” (2 Corinthians 2:1-2) (NKJV). It’s the fact that he knew that they would rejoice over seeing Brother Epaphroditus alive and well and this would cause his sorrow to wear off or die down. Now we know that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1) (NKJV), but in this case with Brother Epaphroditus Paul wanted that they themselves see how well he had recovered, and what reason they had for the thankfulness and joy upon his account. Sending him back before the conclusion of his second trial in Rome hurt Paul, but at the same time gave himself the pleasure of comforting the Philippian Church by the sight of so dear a friend.

Paul wanted them to “Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation:” (Philippians 2:29) (KJV), meaning welcome him back as if they would welcome our Lord Jesus Christ Himself into their fellowship and place his value to their fellowship of high regard such as they would our Lord Jesus Christ, seeing how he labored for the sake of Christ and the Gospel to the point of ill-health, but now this servant of the Lord Jesus Christ has been restored to health by our Lord Jesus and sent back to you and should be regarded as a fresh gift from God, just as Paul wrote in these words to Brother Timothy is how Brother Epaphroditus is to be viewed by them, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” (1 Timothy 5:17) (NKJV). For it was, “Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.” (Philippians 2:30) (KJV). It was Epaphroditus who embarked on the long journey from Philippi to Rome to do physically what Paul could no longer do and that is preach the Gospel in Rome doing what they were unable to do collectively. Epaphroditus worked himself far beyond his strength with his frequent bold preaching of the Gospel of Grace. Epaphroditus appeared to have worked so hard to get the truth of God, truth of the Gospel, truth of Christ and His Blood being the only atonement for man’s sin that he disregarded his own personal safety (Acts 15:26) and did not take care to his own nourishment perhaps by not eating properly or even enough for that matter, but it all led to his physical decrease in strength.

“Paul even in his incarceration was much more concerned with the work of Christ, that is, the preaching of the Gospel than with his own personal safety, that is, whether he would be executed or not. In Brother Epaphroditus Paul found someone who was like-minded and it was difficult to send him back to Philippi after what transpired with Paul at his first trial of being there all alone, but because Paul was concerned more for those at the Church at Philippi and not causing them undue grief for not knowing the complete status of  Epaphroditus, he gladly sent him back home knowing that his presence would comfort them and that he being full grown in the faith could stand alone, but knowing that he was never alone because our Lord Jesus Christ was always with him.” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

“It seems he had caught his illness in the work of God: It was for the work of Christ that he was nigh to death, and to supply their lack of service to him. The apostle does not blame him for his indiscretion in hazarding his life, but reckons they ought to love him the more upon that account. Observe, (1.) Those who truly love Christ, and are hearty in the interests of his kingdom, will think it very well worth their while to hazard their health and life to do him service, and promote the edification of his church. (2.) They were to receive him with joy, as newly recovered from sickness. It is an endearing consideration to have our mercies restored to us after danger of removal, and should make them the more valued and improved. What is given us in answer to prayer should be received with great thankfulness and joy.” Matthew Henry

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christian Unity is Detailed to the Philippians Volume 29

Paul Sends Brother Epaphroditus Back to the Philippian Church Part 1

Philippians 2:25-27 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. KJV

The evidence of the love for Paul from the Philippian Church came not in mere words, but in the flesh and blood body of a person or one of the fellow brethren of the Church at Philippi sent by the entire body to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of the Apostle Paul while he was currently confined under Roman imprisonment. The Brother’s name was Epaphroditus (a Greek name) and his name means agreeable, fair, lovely, and graceful. This certainly held true to this man named Epaphroditus by his parents, for he was the man selected by the Philippian Church to go to Paul in Rome while he was in prison bringing him gifts from the Church (Philippians 4:18). Epaphroditus also remained there in Rome with Paul devoting himself to the work of the Gospel serving both as Paul’s attendant and assistant in missionary work. Although Paul was confined in one place during his imprisonment in Rome at this time, he was not barred from sending out other Brother’s or Sister’s ‘in Christ’ to spread the message of the Gospel throughout the Roman land. Epaphroditus was probably the stenographer used by Paul to pen this letter to his fellow brethren in Philippi and also to deliver it to them, when Paul is now sending him back as he declares here with these words, “Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow-soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.” (Philippians 2:25) (KJV).

The English phrase ‘companion in labor’ the Apostle uses here to describe this Brother is translated by one Greek word sunergos meaning a co-laborer, that is, fellow-helper, or a workfellow, colleague, or co-worker. Today we use these terms loosely without much substance to them, but it meant to Paul that Epaphroditus was so much of a companion in the work of spreading the Gospel with Paul, that he Paul considered him as if he were joined or connected to Paul in a spiritual sense as though they were Siamese twins spiritually, but not physically. Paul also calls him a ‘fellow-soldier’ and this English word is translated by the Greek word sustratiotes meaning a co-campaigner; a warrior literally and figuratively in the Christian ministry of the Gospel of Christ such as Paul spoke to Brother Timothy using these words, “So you, my son, be strong (strengthened inwardly) in the grace (spiritual blessing) that is [to be found only] in Christ Jesus. And the [instructions] which you have heard from me along with many witnesses, transmit {and} entrust [as a deposit] to reliable {and} faithful men who will be competent {and} qualified to teach others also. Take [with me] your share of the hardships {and} suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy {and} please the one who enlisted him.” (2 Timothy 2:1-4) (Amplified Bible).

Epaphroditus had become soberly, seriously, and severely ill during the time he spent ministering to Paul and for the Gospel while he was in Rome and this news got back to the fellowship of the Philippian Church. This bout with illness perhaps hastened Epaphroditus desire to return home to Philippi and to the fellowship of the Church he poured himself into after hearing the Gospel preached by Paul and being converted by God the Holy Spirit. Paul uses the English phrase (speaking of Epaphroditus’ desire for them) ‘he longed after’ which is translated by one Greek word epipotheo meaning to (to yearn); to dote upon, that is, intensely crave having excessive affection for them or earnestly desiring greatly to be in their presence just as it is documented of the desire King David had for his son Absalom when he fled after murdering his brother Amnon, “But Absalom fled. And the young man who kept the watch looked up, and behold, many people were coming by the way of the hillside behind him. And Jonadab said to the King, See, the King’s sons are coming. It is as your servant said. And as he finished speaking, the King’s sons came and lifted up their voices and wept; and the King also and all his servants wept very bitterly. But Absalom fled and went to [his mother’s father] Talmai son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son [Amnon] every day. So Absalom fled to Geshur and was there three years. And the spirit of King David longed to go forth to Absalom, for he was comforted about Amnon, seeing that he was dead.” (2 Samuel 13:34-39) (Amplified Bible).

The fact that the message had gotten back to the fellowship in Philippi that he (Epaphroditus) was so sick in Rome, caused him to become as Paul describes it that he ‘was full of heaviness’ and this English phrase is translated by one Greek word ademoneo meaning to be in distress (of mind) just as the Prophet Jeremiah was distressed over the people of Israel when he wrote these words, “For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I [Jeremiah] hurt; I go around mourning; dismay has taken hold on me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people restored? [Because Zion no longer enjoyed the presence of the Great Physician!]” (Jeremiah 8:21-22) (Amplified Bible). Epaphroditus so wanted to return at this time to relieve the minds and remove the anxiety of the Brothers and Sisters in Philippi who loved him so much, so that they might not be consumed or filled up with sorrow upon sorrow for him (2 Corinthians 2:7). The sickness or illness that came upon Brother Epaphroditus was very severe as Paul speaks of it with these words, “For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” (Philippians 2:27) (KJV).

The severity of the illness of this dear Brother to Paul appears to have been overcome, not by the Apostle Paul’s laying on of hands and the Power of God flowing through him to bring about an instant miraculous healing, for the description of this illness by Paul shows the fear and deep concern he had for Epaphroditus’ recovery, which proves to us and to all that the miraculous healing power that worked through Paul and the other Apostles was at the determination of God the Father as it benefited to prove the authenticity of the Gospel message and the one’s proclaiming said  message throughout the world. Paul without doubt prayed continuously for Epaphroditus’ recovery, but was not endowed with the power to raise him up from illness immediately, maybe it was for the benefit of the faith of both men that God allowed him to be healed with natural methods of medication and rest, along with the prayer of all the saints in Philippi for him. Paul thanked God immensely for his healing because of the tremendous loss (at this time) would he have been for Paul’s spirit and emotions, seeing that Paul had already continuing sorrow for being confined and away from the Church at Philippi, but the loss of the man who worked so hard with him and for him would have devastated the Apostle.  

“In addition to all the sorrows of imprisonment, and the prospect of a trial, and the want of friends. The sources of his sorrow, had Epaphroditus died, would have been such as these: (1) He would have lost a valued friend, and one whom he esteemed as a brother and worthy fellow-laborer. (2) He would have felt that the church at Philippi had lost a valuable member. (3) his grief might have been aggravated from the consideration that his life had been lost in endeavoring to do him good. He would have felt that he was the occasion, though innocent, of his exposure to danger.” Albert Barnes

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…